Antonio Vallisneri and the Antiquities

Hydria

Author:
Manner of the Darius Painter (last thirty years of the 4th century B.C.)

Cultural context:
South Italy, Apulia

Date:
last thirty years of the 4th century B.C.

Description

The vessel presents a figurative scene on side A: a winged Eros is offering a wide shallow cup (called phiale in ancient Greek) to a seated young woman. This woman has a wreath and a cist in her hands. The reverse (side B) shows a simple floral decoration. In Apulian pottery production the representation of these motives is often associated with bridal preparations.